Evaluation of Open-Graded Friction Courses: Construction, Maintenance, and Performance.

摘要

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has been using open graded friction courses (OGFC) since the mid-1970s to reduce accidents on high volume routes. While the permeability of OGFC has several advantages, there are also concerns about the performance and maintenance of these pavement layers. The primary research objective of this study was to identify methods to improve the design, performance, construction, and maintenance of OGFCs in South Carolina. To accomplish this objective, several tasks including literature review, surveys, laboratory investigations, and ield evaluations were completed. The results of this study led to several recommendations for SCDOT to consider in the future design, construction, and maintenance of OGFCs. These included adjustments to the mix design procedure for determining the optimum binder content, consideration of an alternative aggregate gradation to further, a procedure for determining the necessary thickness of OGFC layers, best practices for construction of OGFCs, and potential maintenance solutions.